MLB's Rookie of the Year Mike Trout already owns New Jersey's prep record for home runs in a season (18). Now, four years after he graduated, he probably just set another one: Fastest player ever to get his high school's baseball field named after him.
The Millville (N.J.) Board of Education OK'd the plan, which includes a $10,000 donation from one of Trout's endorsements to complete the ongoing renovation of the field, according to longtime Philadelphia Inquirer staff writer Phil Anastasia.
BodyArmor Superdrink, which sponsors Trout, will pony up the $10,000. Of course, Trout had reportedly donated $20,000 from his 2012 Rookie of the Year winnings to Millville High, and the revitalization project is already under way.
"Mike has helped us so much," Millville head coach Hallenbeck told the Inquirer. "It sounds weird to say, but it's not so much the physical help in terms of the money but just the fact that it meant enough to him when he was here that he wants to do these things.
"That has a great impact on everyone around here. We're so proud of him."
As a high school senior, Trout batted .531 with 49 runs scored, 45 RBI, 19 stolen bases and the state record 18 home runs for Hallenbeck's Thunderbolts. The current Angels outfielder only struck out 17 times in his high school career.
Drafted 25th overall by the Angels in June of his season year, Trout batted .326 as an MLB rookie last season, recording 129 runs scored, 83 RBI and 49 stolen bases to earn Baseball America's Player of the Year honor.
Millville will officially name the field later this spring after renovations are complete, and Hallenbeck hopes Trout can make the ceremony. However, as the Inquirer points out, the Angels don't make their first East Coast road trip until June 7-9 against the Red Sox, and the New Jersey baseball state tournament ends June 4.
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